Crime Scene Investigator
Duties of a crime scene investigator
Crime scene investigators are known by various names. The most common ones are “crime scene technicians” and “forensic investigators.”
Crime Scene Investigators were previously trained as police officers. Many do still work from police stations today. This is of course when they are not out in the field, working at crime scenes.
The Crime Scene Investigators need to be ahead of their game and smarter than the criminal.
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The duties performed by Crimes Scene Investigators begin by firstly securing the scene and cordoning off access to anyone other than investigators working on the scene. The entire investigation hinges on that first person being able to properly identify, isolate, and secure the scene. The purpose of securing the scene is to restrict, access and prevent evidence destruction.
Since most investigations start with very limited information, care and common sense are necessary to minimise the chances of destroying evidence. A plan of operation is initiated from an initial walk through of the scene. This is to decide what evidence may be present and to see what evidence may be fragile and need to be collected as soon as possible. Detailed measurements are taken, as well as a sketch of the scene. Sketches are used along with the reports and photographs to document the scene. A crime scene sketch is simply a drawing that accurately shows the appearance of a crime scene. The sketch is simply drawn to show items as well as the position and relationship of items. It must include exact measurements where needed. The advantage of a sketch is that it can cover a large area and be drawn to leave out clutter that would appear in photographs.
Plenty of photographs are taken to ensure that no evidence is missed. Before removing any evidence from the scene, it is documented accurately as to the location and nature of what is found. A close up should be taken of items that have serial numbers, tags and vins. A second photograph adding a measuring devise should be taken.
Impressions include fingerprints, tool marks, footwear, fabric impressions, tire marks and bite marks. Forensic Biology includes blood, semen, body fluids, hair, nail scrapings and blood stain patterns. Trace Evidence include gun shots, residues, arson accelerant, paint, glass and fibres.
Firearms includes weapons, gun powder patterns, casings, projectiles, fragments, pellets, wadding and cartridges.
Whatever is found is packaged and transferred carefully to the forensic laboratory. This provides the detectives with leads to work.
Crime Scene Investigators also attend and photograph autopsies. It is also the duty of the Crime Scene Investigator to testify their findings in court. They need to maintain the equipment used and restock portable collection kits.
Each method is important in the proper documenting of a crime scene. The notes and reports should be done in chronological order and should include no opinions, no analysis, or no conclusion. Just the facts! The scene should be documented just as the investigator sees it.
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The evidence collected by the Crime Scene Investigator is transferred to the lab in strict accordance with “chain of evidence” procedures. In the lab, the samples are analysed by forensic chemists and biologists as well as forensic toxicologists.
Crime Scene Investigators don’t often process evidence, unless they have special training in fingerprint processing or blood spatter analysis. A Crime and Investigator’s work is often messy and smelly. They may work long hours and their duties may be physically demanding. Most Crime Scene Investigators find their careers most fulfilling and rewarding.
When considering becoming a Crime Scene Investigator, various factors need to be taken into consideration. It takes a special kind of person to take up this career, certainly one who is not squeamish and who has an enquiring mind and vivid imagination. Such a person must be prepared to work long shifts, be on call both day or night, on holidays and on weekends.
A Crime Scene may be in unsavoury areas that may be dangerous and unsanitary. It may be during any weather conditions, where there are offensive smells and disturbing sights. The Crime Scene Investigator will always be found wearing protective clothing, eyewear, gloves and other safety equipment. They need to work wherever they are called and wherever the scene of the crime is. This can be in cramped basements, dense brush or knee-deep murky ponds. It is not unusual for them to find body parts, bodily fluids and remains in every state of decomposition.
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This career is by no means for the feint hearted. The scene of the crime is never pleasant. The Crime Scene Investigator needs to have strength of body and mind. While they may need to carry heavy equipment, they cannot afford to carry the traumatic scenes home into their family life. The workload can be overwhelming and the pressure to “work faster” intense. Being on call can take time away from family and friends, leading to burnout.
Crime Scene Investigators need to keep up with the latest technology, continually learning new technologies and methodologies. They need to work carefully and methodically, paying close attention to detail, leaving no stone unturned. A sharp analytical mind is an important characteristic for such a person choosing this career. This is certainly a career that one needs to first research thoroughly and be prepared for all that it encompasses.
Crime Scene Investigators work with a wide range of people, including law enforcement, lab personnel and attorneys.
Training first as a police officer, one may need several years of experience before applying to work as a Crime Scene Investigator. Many do eventually stop working in the field and go back to police work or transfer to the lab as forensic technicians.
It has been said of Crime Scene Investigators: “Always make the equipment work for you, don’t work for the equipment. The work done at a crime scene is very challenging. Don’t just stand and speak of your work. A great investigator-technician allows their work to speak of them!”
